On Thursday the 27th of July Midlands State University demonstrated once again why it is the University of choice when it landed 5 awards at the Public-Sector Audit Conference and Financial Management Awards.
Out of a total of five categories, the University was 2nd runner up in the Overall Best Financial Management category and 1st runner up in three other categories namely: Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting; Revenue Collection, Credit Control and Risk Management, and Financial Turn-Around of the Year. The crowning moment for the University was winning the 2017 Finance Management Award of Excellence in Debt Administration and Management.
The University was nominated for the awards in all five categories following recommendations by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. In keeping with its continued efforts to ensure and enhance good corporate governance, Midlands State University adopted the Corporate Governance Framework for State Enterprises and Parastatals of 2010 as well as the Zimbabwe National Code on Corporate Governance ‘ZimCode’ (9 April 2015) to guide its operations and the results are evident.
Addressing guests at the event the Minister of Finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa who was the guest of honour bemoaned the lack of transparency which is rampant at public sector institutions. The Minister reiterated the need for sound financial management and good corporate governance if public sector institutions are to be self-sustaining. Minister Chinamasa said there was a need for public sector institutions to move away from relying on financial support from central government. He also urged public sector institutions to invest more in Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their financial management so as to mitigate against various financial malpractices.
Among those who attended the event were the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Harare Province, Cde M. Chikukwa, Member of Parliament for Mabvuku, Mr J Maridadi, Deputy Auditor General, Mr D. Muchemwa and the Principal Director, Academic Affairs (MHTESTD), Mr J. T. Dewah. The University was represented by the Bursar, Mr A. Zvandasara.